The Caltex Tour of the Bay cycle race was yesterday marred by the tragic death of one of the event's oldest competitors.
Richard Ross Abbot, 70, of Feilding, collapsed on Maraekakaho Rd, just 5km into the 110km race. It's understood he suffered a cardiac arrest, and later died at Hawke's Bay
Hospital.
Event manager Ivan Aplin said the death had rocked the event.
"It's really sad," Mr Aplin said. "He was a seasoned rider who I understand was expected to finish the race in under four hours."
He confirmed Mr Abbot had entered at the 11th hour yesterday.
Other riders had stopped and managed to revive the pensioner before ambulance crews arrived.
Fellow cyclist and friend Colin Anderson, from Palmerston North, said Manawatu Masters Cycling Club had lost a character "as tough as teak".
"He was extremely competent on a bike, and I'm guessing had cycled competitively for about 20 years," Mr Anderson said.
"We're all very sad and very shocked ... he had no existing problems with his ticker as far as I knew."
Mr Abbot had spent most of his life farming, including many years as a fencing contractor in Taihape.
It was the first death in the event's 19-year history.
Hours later, four cyclists ploughed into a car just 500 metres from the finish line of Hawke's Bay road cycling's premier race.
About 11.45am, four cyclists were sprinting for third place along Knight St, when a female motorist allegedly turned in front of them.
Sergeant Clint Adamson said he believed at least two riders had broken bones, yet said it was unlikely charges would be laid.
"Because of all the factors involved it's difficult to say who was primarily responsible," Mr Adamson said.
"The cyclists admit they were on the right-hand side of a road that wasn't closed to traffic. All competitors are fully briefed and know they compete on open roads.
"You gotta feel for the guys. They were 109.5km into a 110km race."
Mr Aplin meanwhile claimed there was still debate over who was at fault, yet agreed with the police summary and said the driver involved was "extremely upset".
"There were no winners in it," Mr Aplin said.
* More Tour of the Bay - Page 12
